Sindh will remain united, CM rejects calls for Karachi province

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday dismissed renewed calls for carving out Karachi as a separate province, stating that the city’s residents do not support such a move and that any change to provincial boundaries can only occur through constitutional means.

Addressing a ceremony in the provincial capital, he said the issue had been raised periodically by certain groups but lacked public backing within Karachi itself. He emphasised that the creation of a new province requires approval through a formal constitutional process, including a two-thirds majority resolution in the provincial assembly.

He underscored that the matter was neither a personal decision nor one that could be imposed unilaterally, stressing that constitutional procedure was the only legitimate pathway for altering provincial status.

The chief minister said the Sindh government remained focused on development initiatives in Karachi, highlighting ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving urban mobility. He noted that the city administration had been given a 100-day target to construct a bridge at a location where the absence of a proper crossing had led to multiple accidents.

Expressing confidence in the municipal leadership, he said the deputy mayor’s team was working collectively to complete pending schemes and accelerate progress on key projects across the metropolis.

Murad Ali Shah also announced that development works worth approximately Rs300 billion would be undertaken in Karachi during the current year. He said these projects would address long-standing issues related to transport, road infrastructure, and public facilities.

Among the schemes nearing completion, he highlighted the construction of a flyover in Malir, which he said would provide significant relief to commuters in the area. He added that work on Shahrah-e-Bhutto up to Qayyumabad was progressing rapidly and expected to be completed within four to six weeks.

Reiterating his stance on the provincial issue, the chief minister maintained that Karachi’s residents were not in favour of separation and that the unity of Sindh was non-negotiable. He warned that attempts to divide the province would undermine broader national cohesion.

Murad Ali Shah also pointed to Sindh’s historical role in the creation of Pakistan, noting that the provincial assembly had passed the Pakistan Resolution twice before independence. He argued that this legacy underscored the province’s foundational contribution to the country.

“If you think of dividing Sindh, you are not sincere with Pakistan,” he said, framing the debate as one with implications beyond administrative boundaries.

The question of Karachi’s status has surfaced repeatedly over the years amid debates on governance, resource allocation, and representation in Pakistan’s largest city. However, proposals for a separate province have faced strong opposition from major political parties in Sindh, which argue that such a move would create political instability and administrative complications.

The chief minister’s remarks signal the provincial government’s firm position against any restructuring of Sindh’s territorial boundaries, while reaffirming a focus on development as the primary response to urban challenges in Karachi.

In the meantime, officials say accelerated infrastructure spending is intended to address public concerns over traffic congestion, road safety, and civic services, issues that frequently dominate the city’s political discourse.